Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

The Peru-Bolivia Holiday 18 days journey begins at the Jorge Chavez Int´l Airport, where we will be welcomed to Lima, the capital of Peru, and transferred to the hotel. This is a perfect time to sample Lima’s famous cuisine, so for dinner we are going out to a restaurant which also has a dance show. (D)

Day 2: Lima

Breakfast and at 10:30 am, we will be transfer to Larco Museum, a great introduction to what we will we visiting later. Also one the world's largest collections of different ancient civilizations displaying a dazzling array of pre-Columbian gold, silver and copper works of art. Created by Peru's innovative metal-smiths, they range from civilizations of Paracas, Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Wari, Lambayeque, Sican and Chimu to Inca. After we will have a chance to taste Peruvian food for lunch. Transfer to hotel. (B)

Day 3: Lima-Chiclayo

We will take an early morning flight, from Peru's capital to the northern city of Chiclayo, and after some rest time we set off for the mud-brick pyramid that made world headlines in 1987 with one of the most sensational finds of recent archaeology. Known as the Huaca Rajada -- the "Cracked Pyramid", because of the deep gulleys weathered into its flanks -- this eroded adobe platform yielded fabulous ancient treasures from a series of deeply buried tombs of Moche culture, pre-Inca, who lived in the valleys of Peru's north coast 1,500 years ago. A highly informative site museum tells the story of this extraordinary civilization, whom created some of the finest pottery, jewelry and gold working of the Americas. We continue on to Lambayeque, where we visit the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum. This modern building, representing the style of a Moche pyramid, was built to house the stunning and priceless objects unearthed at Sipán. After these sensational experiences, we drive to an oasis of calm at Tucumé. At the site museum, we will see the chronological sequence that followed the fall of the Moche. As their descendants, the Sicán culture, continued to amass millions of adobe bricks to build more mighty pyramids -- including the longest of its kind in the world, at more than 700m/2,300ft -- but were now influenced by highland tribes, and began to abandon their old ways. We return to Chiclayo for an overnight. (B, L)

Day 4: Chiclayo - Trujillo

Today, we will travel --by private transport-- on the Pan American Highway, which offers a varied view of coast of Peru. First stop at El Brujo Archaeological Complex, built and inhabited by the Moche, Wari and Incas until the colonial period. Here archaeologists made a unique discover, the tomb of La Señora de Cao (Lady of Cao), a young priestess and important ruler. Her body was in very good condition since even up to now, showing many tattoos on her arms and legs. This lady was found covered with jewels and symbols of power of the Moche Culture. The second part of the visit will be at the site museum La Senora de Cao, where we will learn more about the Moche Culture. We continue with our trip to the city of Trujillo, on the way we will have lunch in an excellent restaurant. Transfer to hotel (B, L)

Day 5: Trujillo

In the morning, we go to visit the Huaca de la Luna Pyramidal structure of the Moche culture (100 to 750 D.C.) decorated with beautiful murals depicting the god Ai-Paec, also known as the Decapitador (Decapitator). We will also visit the Museum Huacas de Moche, with samples of the excavations and several multimedia representations. We will continue to the nearby town of Huanchaco, where we have the opportunity to taste the excellent seafood of Trujillo in a local restaurant and where we will appreciate the fishermen sailing their "caballitos de totora" used since pre-Inca times. In the afternoon visit to the great Chimú center of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city ever built. It was in fact an elite settlement, a series of nine enormous palaces belonging to successive rulers of the Chimú realm. At its height, the population here may have reached 50,000 people. Many of them were artists and craftspeople, who made the sumptuous gold work, textiles and pottery for which the Chimú were famous. At the Tschudi palace enclosure we enter a labyrinthine series of courtyards lined with clay friezes of fish and ocean birds, and walled in places with an open mesh work adobe building style believed to represent fishing nets. We visit inner patios, residences, administrative buildings, temples, platforms and storehouses, and a huge reservoir where "sunken gardens" may have produced specialized crops for the Chimu nobility. Transfer to hotel (B, L)

Day 6: Trujillo-Lima-Cusco

Hotel pick up and transfer to Trujillo airport to take the flight to Cusco, with a stopover in Lima. Once we have arrived to the Capital of the Incas, Cusco, there will be a transfer to our hotel where we will be welcomed with a hot cup of coca tea to help with our acclimatization at 3,400 m. Mid-afternoon visit to the Q´oricancha or Temple of Sun, once the most sacred building during Incan times where Spanish built over a catholic church and convent of Santo Domingo. If time allows, we can enjoy a Cusco traditional dance and music show at the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo Theater, otherwise you can enjoy a late afternoon sunset-like walk in downtown Cusco walking the Main Square and nearby narrow streets where there are many handicraft shops, jewelry and fine restaurants. (B)

Day 7: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas - Decoding the Andean Textile- Ollantaytambo

Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the Amaru community. One of the most unforgettable experiences visiting this Village that still shows the living cultures of the Andes. Right at the arrival, we will be greeted with traditional music and local flowers such as the k´antu, the flower of the Incas. A guided tour starts explaining the textile technologies and techniques used by the community. Learn about different organic materials used to make the natural dyes – which plants are used, what is their symbolism, and also about medicinal use. The second part of the tour will invite you to practice the shearing, cleaning, and coiling of the sheep or alpaca wool, both used in textiles, and finally we will learn how wool is dyed by boiling. Once the demonstrations are concluded, you will be invited to purchase local textiles including table runners, scarfs, purses, belts, bracelets, etc. After a delicious lunch, prepared by local cooks, we will visit the traditional market of Pisaq. We continue with our trip to Ollantaytambo, a former agricultural, military, and religious center, where Inca architecture is one of the finest. This center was built to protect the valley against possible invaders, and is presently considered the best preserved and the only living Inca town today. Transfer to hotel in Ollantaytambo (B, L)

Day 8: Ollantaytambo- Machu Picchu-Cusco

Early breakfast and transfer to the train station. The railway journey to Machu Picchu will take 2 hrs, when we reach Aguas Calientes, located below 2,000 m, we will take a 20 minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu citadel, perched 500 mts above the Urubamba River, and towered by the Huayna Picchu peak (2800 masl). Our guide will explain the history and myths of this archeological wonder. We will learn why Machu Picchu is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth. This landscape shows very steep forests hills frequently shrouded in misty clouds and downhill views of the roaring Urubamba River. Later we take a bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy a good buffet lunch on your own. After lunch, we take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. Transfer to hotel. (B)

Day 9: Cusco

In the morning we start our visit to the four archaeological centers of Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Tambomachay and Pukapukara. Early lunch on your own and transfer to the Chocolate Museum to take a course on how to make chocolate from scratch. Free rest of the afternoon (B)

Day 10: Cusco- La Paz.

In the morning flight to La Paz. Welcome at El Alto Airport. Cable car ride into downtown or Zona Sud in La Paz. (B)

Day 11: La Paz-Salar de Uyuni-Tunupa

Early flight La Paz-Uyuni and transfer to Colchani town, the gateway to the Uyuni´s Salt Lake and where locals extract and process salt. Here we will learn about interesting geological and natural features of the salt lake, including the Ojos de Sal (or salt eyes), where ice cold healing water bubbles through the salt. This water originates from an underground river at the Tunupa Volcano. On the way to Isla Incahuasi we will pass the first small hotel built in this area entirely from salt blocks. At the island, we will have lunch among huge cacti and the wildlife of this rare habitat. In the afternoon we will head north crossing the salt lake towards the Tunupa Volcano, a unique location for an amazing sunset that colors up the landscape of this lake. After dinner gazing up at a starry night sky. If the night is clear we will observe constellations and learn about the Aymara beliefs. (D, L, D) Note: this itinerary might change for wet season Star gazing is optional and has an extra cost.

Day 12: Salar de Uyuni-Colchani.

After breakfast, we´ll drive to Tunupa Volcano´s viewpoint—optional hike to the top of this volcano 6 hours-- on the way to the top we can enjoy spectacular views of Uyuni´s Salt Lake. We continue our trip back to Colchani stopping at points of interest, to walk around and enjoy this beautiful landscape. Again be ready to take several photographs that for sure will remain in our memory for a long time. Transfer to hotel (B, L, D) Included a spectacular sun rise tour (about 04:30 am). If you are a photographer you can´t miss this tour.

Day 13: Colchani-Uyuni-Potosi.

In the morning you will check out of the hotel, and then be transported to the colonial City of Potosi, once considered the largest and richest city in the Americas, founded during the 16th century. We will the high Puna grasslands and the Altiplano located over 4000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level. Upon arrival in Potosi, we will discuss amazing facts about the city. With its narrow streets and mix of baroque, gothic and indigenous architecture - Potosi is considered a “World Heritage”. This trip will take approximately four hours and half hours (250 km) on asphalted road. On the way, after one hour drive, we will have stop to visit Pulacayu, an old mining town. Which contains a train that Bush Cassidy and the Sundance Kid robbed (outlaws in USA). Once arrival to Potosi city we will have lunch-- on our own -- and in the afternoon we will take a tour of the Casa de la Moneda (Royal Mint House). If time allow s optional visits of San Francisco Church or Convent of Santa Teresa. Transfer to hotel. (D)

Day 14: Potosí - Sucre

In the morning we will check out of the hotel to travel to the City of Sucre. After checking in at the hotel, in the afternoon we will tour the most beautiful city in Bolivia. Among its many attractions, we will find the Recoleta Convent, which is compelling and also offers a great view of Sucre and the hills surrounding the city. Later during the day, we will visit the historic “House of Liberty” where Simon Bolivar signed Bolivia’s Act of Independence in 1825, creating a free republic.

Day 15: Sucre.

Today we will visit the famous Dinosaur tracks, and we will have a chance to view Bolivia’s best examples of indigenous art (weaving) at ASUR (Museum of Indigene Art) and then we can walk the textile street. Free afternoon to relax in this city. (B)

Day 16: Sucre-Copacabana (Lake Titicaca).

In the morning pick up from the hotel to go to Sucre’s new airport to for a flight to El Alto Airport (close to the City of La Paz). Upon arrival transfer to Copacabana, entrance gate to Lake Titicaca, by car. This trip will take about three and half hours. (B, L, D)

Day 17: Copacabana-Isla del Sol (Lake Titicaca)-La Paz.

Today we will visit Isla del Sol, from Copacabana we will ride a boat to the Isla, where can hike through the village of Yumani, known as “The Garden of the Incas”; and visit the spring of Eternal Youth, where the Incas performed baptisms. It is said that if we drink water from this fountain, we will have eternal youth! Then we head to the bay to return by boat to Copacabana, and to La Paz. (B, L)

Day 18: La Paz- Home.

Transfer to the El Alto airport for our flight to go home. (B)